guide to start Anime

[into anime like a pro]
Many people find it difficult to get used to japanese animation. This is the list I’ve already given to some friends, who asked me for reccomandations to start watching Anime films or series.
Most people I’ve talked about Anime, who don’t really are into it, already know at least one film by Hayao Miyazaki, sometimes they even know his name or the studio he his (or is not) working at … aah it’s Studio Ghibli for those who couldn’t recall the name.
In this list I didn’t set a focus on genre, there are childrens movies, as well as horror or criminal stories. I suggest you just take a look at the trailers/plots as you…
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[into anime like a pro]

Many people find it difficult to get used to japanese animation. This is the list I’ve already given to some friends, who asked me for reccomandations to start watching Anime films or series.

Most people I’ve talked about Anime, who don’t really are into it, already know at least one film by Hayao Miyazaki, sometimes they even know his name or the studio he his (or is not) working at … aah it’s Studio Ghibli for those who couldn’t recall the name.

In this list I didn’t set a focus on genre, there are childrens movies, as well as horror or criminal stories. I suggest you just take a look at the trailers/plots as you usually do with life action stuff and see what fits you well or try reading threw my sloppy written and very subjective recomandtions here:

Talking about genres – at this point I need to say, some Animes might not come out as what they first seem to be. I, as well, stepped into some traps. I didn’t want to watch a few series or films because I thought I wouldn’t like it.

iE. ‘Ping Pong the Animation’: I never thought I would ever like watching a series ‘about sports’ or ‘Neon Genesis Evangalion’ is way more than just a ‘robot action’ series.

Be aware that Ninja Scroll and Hellsing Ultimate is good, but very violent.

Perfect Blue is a perfect example of how an Anime can be just like an life action film. (It actually was first planned as one.)

Cowboy Bebop was one of those Animes which had first huge succues in USA. It fits well into this criminal ‘each episode one case + a whole exciting and mysterious story behind it’ genre. Also it is easy accesssible for Hollywood-trained spectators. Also Akira was very succesful in the US. But that’s another story.

Tekkonkinkreet, Angel’s Egg, Kick Heart etc. show how different the style of Anime can be – some might refer to those films as “Arthouse-Anime” – I’ve read that term before. It helps describing it in a fast way, however I don’t like this term.

Kick Heart is a short film by the way. You may find it on YouTube or Vimeo. It’s worth watching it!

If you want to start with something slow paste and smooth – since it’s often feedback that people cannot handle the fast paste and cartoon-like crazyness of Anime – start with Mushishi or My Neighbor Totoro. If the story already can be a little weird in addition; it might be Wolf Children you wanna try, which is a perfect example for how Anime mixes up the socalled ‘Slice of Life’-Genre with strange phenomenons.

Don’t leave the Anime World without ever trying to watch ‘Ghost in the Shell’ or ‘Akira’. They are my favourite films. Of course I could start with series too – actually I might: Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion!! “Don’t judge a book by its cover” they say.

And if you are ready for weird shit; try Mind Game.

Of course there is Anime before 1980s. Japanese animated pictures follow a long tradition starting around 1900. For examples presenting history of Anime check out my other list: History of Anime

For more reccomandations – because you fell in love with drawn animated stories as I did – try my Anime Watchlist here: More Anime Reccomandations